The REMADE Institute issued funding to projects exploring a variety of plastics recycling technologies. | Olivier Le Queinec/Shutterstock
A federal initiative focused on energy efficiency in U.S. manufacturing recently selected more than a dozen plastics recycling projects to support. They include efforts advancing PET recovery, mixed-plastics processing, chemical recycling and more.
Indorama noted it has recycling expansion projects in the works that will grow the company’s PET recycling capacity by roughly 600,000 metric tons per year. | Pavel Kapysh/Shutterstock
Global resin producer Indorama Ventures plans to continue its expansion in the PET recycling sector this year, the company recently announced in financial filings.
PreZero framed the acquisition as a way to guarantee a viable end market for the post-consumer resin it produces. | REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock
PreZero US, a growing mixed-plastics recycling company, has entered the end use sector with its acquisition of Roplast Industries, a longtime processor and bag manufacturer.
News that the Eastman Chemical Co. will invest $250 million over two years to build a methanolysis plant drew attention last month. | William Griffith/Shutterstock
A major chemical recycling facility, packaging EPR legislation, new recycled-content products and recycled resin markets drew reader attention last month.
Legislators in Minnesota and other states have recently introduced carpet EPR bills. | IMG_191/Shutterstock
Legislators in states across the country have recently introduced bills establishing extended producer responsibility for carpet.
A number of environmental groups wrote to shipping lines urging them to stop carrying scrap plastics. | Jordi Prats/Shutterstock
Activists have contacted the world’s largest shipping lines, asking them to stop carrying loads that violate new Basel Convention regulations covering the global scrap plastic trade.
The author argues that post-industrial plastics recycling yields important environmental benefits and can help overcome challenges in post-consumer plastics recycling. | mofaez/Shutterstock
Film supplier INDEVCO Plastics announced its launch of industrial films and bags that use up to 50% recycled resin, including both post-consumer and post-industrial content. | Mabeline72/Shutterstock
Two film suppliers recently expanded their offerings with recycled-content films. Meanwhile, an Australian project began producing a concrete-alternative from post-consumer flexible packaging.
Trex, which recycles PE film and wood fibers into composite lumber, reported 2020 sales were up 18% over the prior year. | H_Ko/Shutterstock
COVID-19 failed to dent profitability at Trex, which recycles scrap film into composite lumber. In fact, the opposite happened: Sales and profits both jumped sharply last year.
Massachusetts is the latest state to propose extended producer responsibility for packaging, the largest component of the residential recycling stream. | Thanatos Media/Shutterstock
An expansive packaging stewardship proposal was recently introduced in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, a bill providing state assistance to bolster recycling markets has cleared both legislative chambers in Maryland.